| shavenferret said: The elites are frustrated with Putin and the economic condition that Russia is/will be in for the foreseeable future. Soldiers are getting killed/maimed and/or many can't return the the factory for a while if at all. Also, the sanctions are hurting Russian business. The only sectors doing well right now in Russia are the arms production factories.  Still, while this is good news it is not a knockout blow for Russia's economy. Their GDP may decline by 3% or so this year, but nothing catastrophic.  |
The issue with Russia is very institutional. They've killed off a lot of very smart people by sending them to die in the war, along with many people that left the country (both foreigners that worked for companies involved there, as well as natives fleeing the draft).
Because of that, when the war is over, Russia will struggle to recover. The GDP may not show it now, but it will in 5, 10, 15 years. They will not be able to bounce back easily. And with China starting to treat them like a vassal state, it will become worse as China will exert colonial ambitions against them to ensure the trade relationship becomes more favorable for China than Russia. That is what the oligarchs fear - being treated like they've been treating Africa and Middle Eastern countries for decades.
Also, its nice to see Rolstoppable still posting. Haven't seen that name in a long time!
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
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